REVELATION 2
Read Revelation 2:1-29
We now come to these letters to seven particular churches that John was called to write to. Although they were specific messages to specific churches they all contain material that is relevant to us today. The church in John’s time was persecuted and in difficulty, and the characteristics of these churches are often mirrored the church today. The letters generally start with encouragement for what that church is doing right, criticism for what it is doing wrong, and finally some hope and encouragement for the faithful in that congregation.
Ephesus (vv1-7) – this was John’s home church and was based in the commercial hub of the region. The church is praised for its hard work and perseverance and the fact that it does not tolerate false teaching. It is sound in doctrine and has high regard for the word of God. But, says, Jesus, it has lost something. They have lost ‘the love that they had at first’. They have good teaching, but no love, and we remember Jesus’ emphasis of love in his teaching, “love the Lord your God . . . and love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). The warning to them is if they don’t mend their ways they will lose their lampstand. We saw in Chapter 1 that the lampstand was the symbol for God’s church. The implication is, if they don’t have love they will cease to be a church; love is an enduring characteristic of any church and if there is no love, there is no church. Finally the church is commended for rejecting the Nicolaitans. We don’t know who these were but they seem to be an heretical group that Jesus hates, so the Ephesians were right to oppose them.
Smyrna (vv8-11) – 35 miles from Ephesus in what is now Izmir, Türkiye. This is a church doing well and there is no condemnation, only encouragement. It seems to be a poor and persecuted church but one that is very faithful. Jesus’ assessment is that in worldly terms they may be considered poor, but actually they are rich, having the good news of Jesus Christ and the promise of everlasting life. Jesus’ encouragement to them is to be faithful in the face of persecution and eternal life will be their reward.
Pergamum (vv12-17) – the centre of Roman administration in the region. The report starts with the assertion that Jesus knows their situation; that this is a church in hostile territory and he commends them for being faithful and not giving in to the pressures of secularism. However, it seems that some in the church have given way to the world around them and are worshipping idols and committing sexual sins. Sadly, the church compromising with the secular society in which it is based is one of the main issues facing the contemporary church today. The faithful are promised eternal recognition by Jesus – he knows who they are and he knows they are faithful.
Thyatira (vv18-29) – this seems to be a vigorous and growing church doing more now than it used to. It does have an issue in that it is being led astray by a strong character who calls herself a prophetess (an alarm bell there in that she seems to be self-appointed to that role, not appointed by the church). This sounds like false teaching under the pretence of receiving words from God. It is easy, even today, for a congregation to be led astray by a strong, apparently credible, charismatic leader. As ever the faithful are encouraged at the end.